Correct Swimming Technique

Many people believe that they can swim to save their own lives in a dire situation, but unless they are using the correct swimming techniques, this may not be true. People who do not use correct swimming techniques will tire quickly and are more susceptible to drowning in dangerous situations. Correct swimming technique simply involves using the most efficient stroke possible. When using correct swimming technique, the body remains parallel to the water surface. Here are a few pointers.

1. Put your head in the water: This is one of the simplest ways to acquire correct swimming technique. Never lift your head out of the water to breath. Keep your face in the water and roll your head to the side to breathe. Lifting your head causes your body to sink which increases drag and leads to fatigue.
2. Keep your feet up: Kick to keep your feet afloat. You cannot have a correct swimming technique unless your body is parallel to the surface and you cannot be parallel unless your feet are level with your head. Correct swimming technique is all about keeping your body streamlined and reducing drag. Keeping your feet afloat with proper kicking achieves both.
3. Don’t slap the water: This is inefficient. Rather than slapping the water surface, reach as far in front of your body as possible and pull your arm along your body towards your knees. Repeat in a smooth fluid motion. You want to pull as much water as possible, with maximum resistance on your arms and minimum on the rest of your body.